Mike Holguin Shares His Passion for Music with the World

Musical Journey

Ever since he was a young boy, Mike Holguin has loved music, especially playing the drums. He joined the U.S. Navy at 18 years old with dreams of becoming a Navy musician, but it was not meant to be just then. “During my first audition, I wasn’t prepared to be a musician yet. I’ll never forget the comment at the end of the audition: ‘Mr. Holguin, you have potential, but potential isn’t what the Navy is looking for right now.’ This comment triggered something inside me and made me more drive than ever to accomplish my goals,” revealed Mike. He re-auditioned and was accepted into the Navy Music program. With the 7th Fleet Band based in Yokosuka, Japan, Mike traveled to more than 22 countries in a two-year period.

After his time in the Navy, Mike began a civilian music career and established himself in the San Diego and Los Angeles music scene. He has played with Grammy Award winners like Natalie Cole and Nathan East, as well as many other well-known musicians. He currently plays drums with the Mighty Untouchables, a band that plays at The Church at Rancho Bernardo and at many community events.

Over the years, Mike has established himself in the music education world. He taught at SDSU and Rancho Bernardo High and is currently the band and worship coordinator at Maranatha Christian Schools. “There is no better feeling than hearing from a former student. I had a student who joined the military out of high school and sent me a letter from Afghanistan. He wanted me to know that he heard a song that we played years before, and started crying thinking about those great memories and what they meant to him. This emotional connection will always be the most rewarding part for me. It helps me realize that this is God’s purpose for me,” related Mike.

Mike has been happily married for 24 years to his wife, Carmie, and has two children, Ronnie (23) and Jazmin (22). “Both of our kids have a passion for the performing arts. Ronnie studied music at SDSU and audio engineering at The Art Institute. He is preparing to tour the United States with an electronic dance music group. Jazmin is studying dance at Miramar College with plans of transferring to SDSU to pursue a degree in physical therapy. She currently performs with a world-class winter guard group,” stated Mike proudly.